Private Exclusive Manousakis Winery and Vineyard Tour
This private tour drives a 4×4 off-road up the Vatolakkos hills to 660 metres, then finishes at Manousakis winery with a five-wine tasting and a full meal. Manousakis is one of the established producers of the Chania hinterland, and the route up to it takes the dirt tracks through the vineyards rather than the asphalt road. Uncharted Escapes runs it over 5 hours from €480 per vehicle, with a 4.9 rating across 5 reviews.
What this private tour actually does
The day climbs, tastes and descends, with your own vehicle and driver throughout. Three stages fill the 5 hours.
First is the off-road ascent through the Vatolakkos hills, gaining 660 metres on rough track, with the northern Crete landscape and the vineyards opening up as you climb. Second is the winery: a tour of the premises explaining how the wines are made, then a five-wine tasting served with a full Cretan meal and two glasses of the wine of your choice. Third is the return, taken on the easy asphalt route back to your accommodation.
Vehicles are 5 or 7-seaters driven by multilingual escort-drivers, and the price covers the vehicle rather than the head.
Places this tour visits
The route runs inland and uphill from the Chania coast.
- Manousakis Winery, the destination is Manousakis winery at Vatolakkos, in the hills south of Chania where the family have worked the vineyards for decades.
What’s included and what isn’t
The fare covers the vehicle, the driver, the winery and the meal.
Included:
- Free hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Private 4×4 vehicle, 5 or 7-seater, with a multilingual escort-driver
- Off-road vineyard tour
- Winery entrance and guided tour
- Five-wine tasting
- Full meal with two glasses of wine of your choice
- Liability insurance and local taxes
Not included:
- Wine beyond the two glasses and the tasting
- Gratuities
Prices are per vehicle, for 4 or 6 passengers depending on the car.
Why we recommend this experience
We recommend this for groups who want the winery without the coach, and the off-road climb is what makes it more than a transfer. Most winery visits in the Chania hinterland arrive on asphalt at the front gate. This one goes up through the vineyards themselves to 660 metres, which turns the drive into the first half of the experience rather than the dead time before it.
The reviews that exist describe the driver as the reason it works. A Canadian couple called their guide phenomenal and passionate about Cretan culture and mentality, and said they were constantly impressed. A Finnish reviewer described the driver enthusiastically explaining everything of interest along the way. That matches what we would expect from a private vehicle with one escort-driver rather than a group guide.
Three things to be straight about, and the first is the most important.
The review base is tiny. Five ratings is not enough to judge an operator, and a 4.9 across 5 tells you almost nothing statistically. We would treat this as promising rather than proven, and anyone booking should know that.
One reviewer flagged a wait at the winery. The Finnish guest who rated it four stars praised the driver but said the winery staff served one group so long that the others waited. That is a single account, but it is the only substantive criticism in the record and it points at the winery rather than the tour operator.
The price is per vehicle and it is high. €480 for a 5 or 7-seater works out at €80 to €120 per person if you fill it, and considerably more if you do not. This only makes sense as a group booking.
CreteLocals insider tips
Fill the vehicle, wear real shoes, and bring cash for extra wine.
- Book as a full group, since the €480 is per vehicle and a couple pays the same as six people.
- Wear closed comfortable shoes, because sandals, flip-flops and heels are all refused for the off-road section.
- Bring a jacket, as 660 metres above the coast is noticeably cooler than your hotel.
- Carry cash for extra wine, given the tasting and two glasses are included and anything beyond that is not.
- Give your hotel name at booking, since the vehicle may not reach your exact address and an alternative pick-up point is emailed instead.
- Decide your driver first, because children under 18 cannot drink and somebody needs to stay clear for the day.
What to know before you go
Provide your hotel name when booking; if the vehicle cannot reach your address you are emailed the nearest pick-up point. Timings vary with group size and weather.
Bring comfortable closed shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a jacket and cash. High heels, sandals and flip-flops are not permitted, and no food, drink or smoking is allowed in the vehicle. Children under 18 cannot consume wine.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Manousakis winery tour?
The tour runs 5 hours, covering the off-road ascent, the winery visit, the tasting and the meal.
Is the price per person?
The price is per vehicle, covering 4 or 6 passengers depending on whether you book the 5 or 7-seater.
How many wines do you taste?
The tasting covers five wines, followed by a full meal served with two further glasses of your choice.
How high does the off-road route go?
The route climbs to 660 metres through the Vatolakkos hills, with views over the vineyards and the north Crete coast.
What shoes should you wear?
Wear closed comfortable shoes. High heels, sandals and flip-flops are not permitted for the off-road section.
Is a meal included?
A full Cretan meal is included, served at the winery alongside the five-wine tasting.
Check dates and prices for the private Manousakis winery and vineyard tour.
Location
Private Exclusive Manousakis Winery and Vineyard Tour is located at Manousakis Winery. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
